Sky Camping

[Don]

Jim, it sounds like you have the skycamping down to a science. I am
looking forward to doing more of that this summer myself. In the
gull I purchased from Ron the BRS is behind the seat in a downward
firing position.There is still lots of room for gear storage though.
I did notice however that there is not a platform to set things on
back there, just the aluminum skin of the plane. Is everyones elses
like this or have some of you built something in? I noticed in your
last post that you mentioned an engine cover. Where can I find
something like this? My Flightstar came with one from the previous
owner but I would like to find something for the 503 on my gull as
well.
It has been a lot of fun revisiting some of the places I have flown
to here in southern OR in my Flightstar but with the Gull now. It
gets me there in not quite half the time and can slow fly so nice
for sight seeing and aerial photography as well. I do believe this
plane has the best to offer in the UL category bar none!!! One of
the Titan flyers in our club sure was impressed with its
performance. When I first started seriously looking for an
ultralight to purchase 4 years ago there just weren't any used
Thundergulls on the market, especially locally. so when Ron Carrolls
came up for sale I just had to go take a look at it. The rest is
history. LOL... One test flight around the pattern and I was hooked
for sure! Thanks again Ron 8^D !!
Jim if you have any pics of your plane and how you pack it for a
trip I would sure be interested in seeing them. Also a complete list
of things you consider to be essentials would be very helpful.
I am also curious what most of you use for communications in your
planes as well as if you use a helmet or headset, and what types.
The helmet I use in my Flightstar gets pretty warm and is difficult
to wear in the thundergull. Not to mention still doesn't transmit
very well with the Delcom Radio in the gull. I tried a Softcom C-90
headset which was very comfortable but the noise attenuation isn't a
fraction as good as my old helicopter helmet even with BNE. Does
anyone have any suggestions? I am considering going to a Lynx setup.
Those that have them swear by them, but they are a little pricey!
Thanks for responding with your experience and stories. I have
enjoyed reading the posts here alot.

Don

[Jim C]

--- In ThunderGull@yahoogroups.com, "Don" <liteflyer@l...> wrote:

Umm Don - lots of questions here ... this is what I do at the moment:


> Jim, it sounds like you have the skycamping down to a science. I am
> looking forward to doing more of that this summer myself. In the
> gull I purchased from Ron the BRS is behind the seat in a downward
> firing position.There is still lots of room for gear storage
though.

I have my BRS up front between the rudder pedals. Fits pretty nicely
up there

> I did notice however that there is not a platform to set things on
> back there, just the aluminum skin of the plane.

I have the same thing, except its mostly the fiberglass skin of the
cockpit. I put my tiedowns and small folding chair down there and it
acts like a platform for the heavier stuff. The smaller lighter
stuff I put down on the floor and under the seat. I put my small
clothes bag/ flight bad between the stick and the rudder.I put the
tent& sleeping pad between the fuel tank and seat on the ight side
behind me (my door is on the left side) - Behind the seat I put my
covers and my sleeping roll with pillow in it goes on top of the fuel
tank. I put a map pocket on the right side of my cockpit using
velcro. and everything else is just put into extra space. If I take
my laptop I have it right behind the seat between it and the fuel
tank.

> I noticed in your last post that you mentioned an engine cover.
> Where can I find something like this?

I use a cheap bar-b-que cover I bought. It wraps around the engine
pretty well and it also works well with the heat and I just use
clothespins to keep it together - It works pretty well out in the
field.

> Jim if you have any pics of your plane and how you pack it for a
> trip I would sure be interested in seeing them.

Next time I load up I'll have to take some pics - don't have any
right now. Never really thought about taking pictures of how I load
a plane, but guess it could be useful - I'm always tinkering with how
I put things in to make it better or easier or both.

Also a complete list
> of things you consider to be essentials would be very helpful.

That really depends - all cross countries, whether short or long I
take my tiedowns, flight gear, charts - just in case my GPS ever goes
out - besides I learned to fly by charts to begin with so I
occasionally keep in practice with them, covers if staying overnight -
it helps with keeping the engine dry from the morning dew (maybe
more of an issue down here in the south than I remember it being out
west), tools for any field repairs needed, and first aid kit. I
usually have a bottle of water or gatorade as well. Depending on if
I have a place to stay or not depends on whether I actually bring any
camping gear. Now its not essential, but I like my chair as well.

> I am also curious what most of you use for communications in your
> planes as well as if you use a helmet or headset, and what types.

As to a headset, I use my 30 year old David Clark GA headsets - they
work just fine. I put the Microair transceiver in my Gull - Its a
great little radio and I like that toggle switch to switch freqs back
and forth. I use to use an Icom A22 which worked well for me as
well - Its still my backup (although I now need a new battery for it).

Also, as I go to the various fly-ins I am always picking up good tips
from everyone else - There are just many ways to do things.

Jim C

[Jay]

Jim, when are you leaving? Thursday?

Good luck, and have fun.

Jay

[Jim C]

Actually I canceled out - Was suppose to go last Thursday and over
this past weekend, but the weather here was terrible and the reports
I was getting up there weren't too good. This hasn't really been my
year for planning weather wise. Lately it seems to be just do
something last minute or it doesn't seem to work out at all. That's
how I ended up at Richie's a few weekends back. I went over to the
Coastal fly-in and then snuck up to Richie's from there (@ another
125 miles further to the NW) and then met the gang the next morning
at another airport enroute home. It was fun, but all last minute.
We are now getting ready to move into July and August down here which
is Thunderboomer weather every afternoon - you can set your clocks by
it. Not sure I will do anything too long distance until Septemberish
unless something breaks the normal weather patterns here. By the
way, have fun at Marks this coming weekend.

Jim C

[Jay]

We could still meet at Joe's sometime. I haven't made it to his place yet.

Jay